Conditions applying in common to all trades and services staff

This Part shall apply in common to all trades and services staff except where otherwise expressly provided.

Section 3 - Salaries and Related Matters

29. Remuneration Packaging

29.1 Notwithstanding the rates for various classifications, in this Agreement, the parties agree a staff member will be able to enter into negotiation with respect to an individual remuneration package which may result in his or her salary being reduced in favour of a mix of benefits and cash salary.

29.2 All staff covered by this Agreement may salary package certain items. These items are as determined by the University from time to time but may include:

• payment of University car parking fees;
• payment of fees for University-provided childcare;
• the staff member's contribution to the Superannuation Scheme for Australian Universities;
• payment of Monash Sport fitness gym membership fees; and
• subscriptions to trade or professional associations for staff members covered by Part 4of this Agreement as well as Plumbers and Electricians.

29.3 The parties agree that if legislation or other changes result in increased cost of salary packaging to the University, the University may elect to discontinue salary packaging, unless the staff member pays the additional cost, in which case the University is obliged to continue the salary packaging option.

29.4 Notwithstanding anything contained within this clause, the staff member's salary rate as specified in Schedule 3 of this Agreement will be used as the figure in relation to which the following entitlements are calculated:

• Termination payments, including superannuation, annual leave and long service leave entitlements;
• calculation of Redundancy benefits;
• calculation of early retirement benefits;
• calculation of annual leave loading;
• overtime and shift payments.

29.5 Each staff member who enters into an agreement in accordance with the provisions of clause 29.1 above shall be entitled to withdraw from, or renegotiate, any salary and benefits package arising from such an agreement on the occurrence of any of the following events:

1. where any change to laws affecting all or some of the elements of the salary and benefits package involves a financial disadvantage to the staff member if he/she continued the salary and benefits package;
2. the staff member's divorce or separation;
3. where the staff member is unfit for duty due to illness or injury and has exhausted his/her entitlement to paid leave at full rates of pay;
4. where the staff member takes extended leave including parental leave and has exhausted his or her entitlement to paid leave at full rates of pay;
5. any other events or circumstances approved by the University.

29.6 Any withdrawal from any agreement by the staff member in accordance with clause 29.5 shall be notified in writing to the University and shall be effective immediately upon receipt of such written notification by the University.

29.7 In the event of a staff member withdrawing from the salary package arrangements in accordance with clause 29.5 above, the University will determine the transitional arrangements such that no overpayment of salary occurs to a staff member as a result of the withdrawal.